Governance Core Values for Christian Organizations

Change for the sake of change is to be avoided. When possible, keep structures, policies, and practices that are effective in place. When things need changing, courageously confront, and move forward together.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! If it is broke, don’t pretend it ain’t!

2. Knowledge

High quality reporting and communication processes are a priority. Good information helps leaders make wise decisions based on knowledge of the properties, the people, the legal issues, the history, the finances, and other major aspects of each ministry.

My people perish for lack of knowledge. (and their meetings are much too long when they stew over things without getting good information).

3. Intentionality

Change always happens in organizations. Individuals and groups change internally and also face continuing pressures and change from outside forces. We need to intentionally respond to change and instigate needed changes for the health of the organization. We need vision for what we are to become, intention and determination to move in that direction, and application of specific means that are necessary to get there.

Aim for nothing, and you’re sure to hit it.

4. Leverage

Look for opportunities to find small improvements that have great benefit at low cost.

Bang for the buck.

5. Stewardship

Governance is responsible to steward finances, property, core beliefs, mission, and leaders. Sustaining and improving the health of each of these key resources is vital.

Lord, find us faithful, no fearful!

6.Trust

We do not hold the future in our hands. God does. We demonstrate our trust in God by joining our diligent effort to the grace of God on an ongoing basis. We must work hard to build trust among ourselves through kind and consistent communication. We must be trustworthy by doing own work well.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. Join all your efforts to His power and grace and gentleness, and He will provide wisdom for the steps that need to be taken.

7. God’s Power Applied

Leaders should use their ingenuity to solve problems; however it is a deadly trap to slip into self reliance. We do our best, but we do not trust our best. We trust God and rely on His wisdom. We rely on Him to supply the leadership gifts to our group that are needed in order to maintain unity, to build us up in Christ, and to effectively help the people in our ministry to be built up in Christ.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Eph. 4:11 ff

8. Unity based in the Trinity

Cooperation and collaboration are essential, and these unifying practices of unity are evidence of the image of God in man and in the common grace that God provides. When our unity is based in the glorious Trinity, our cooperative efforts are empowered by the boundless love of God in His perfectly united three persons. The Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit continually practice perfect love for one another and for us. This love can be overflowing in our hearts and in our leadership groups.

I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Jesus prayer for us in John 17